South Atlantic Overseas Territories Regional Workshop

20 June 2014

This week on Ascension Island
experts from across the UK Overseas Territories in the South Atlantic
attended a regional workshop which was co-hosted by the Ascension Island
Government and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).
The workshop brought together delegates from the region
to share all aspects of conservation expertise and experience,
exploring opportunities for co-operation in sustainable
fisheries, Marine Protected Areas, biodiversity action planning,
and seabird monitoring.

Fisheries managers from the Falklands,
South
Georgia and Tristan da Cunha presented case studies on
sustainable fishing practices, highlighted lessons learnt and
discussed best practice in the areas of enforcement, licensing and
fisheries science.

These were followed by a range of
presentations and discussions where real opportunities to share
expertise, equipment, and skills were explored.

“Ascension is keen to develop a sustainable
fishery, and hosting this workshop has provided an excellent
opportunity for regional and international technical expertise and
experience to be fed into the process of its establishment” said
Councillor Caroline Yon, Chair of Biodiversity and Fisheries
Committee

Ascension Island’s Administrator, Colin Wells
commented: ‘I am delighted JNCC gave Ascension the opportunity to
host this important workshop. It is important that the five
South Atlantic Overseas Territories work together, in line with the
ambitions of the UK Government’s 2012 White Paper and this was a
classic example of where bringing together experts will build
synergy and expertise that will benefit all territories. That
includes Ascension as it starts to develop a
new fisheries management model.”

James Glass, the Director of Fisheries on
Tristan da Cunha who had been travelling since the end of May to
attend the workshop, presented an overview of the fishery on
Tristan and highlighted "this is the first ever regional workshop
that has focussed on fisheries and the marine environment. It is a
wonderful opportunity to share information, expertise and ideas
with fellow islanders from the South Atlantic."